Photos: Talking Stick Resort Arena through the years

A view of an empty arena before a game at Talking Stick Resort Arena on Nov. 18, 2015. David Kadlubowski/azcentral sports

Photos: Talking Stick Resort Arena through the years

A view of an empty arena before a game at Talking Stick Resort Arena on Nov. 18, 2015.
David Kadlubowski/azcentral sports

A view of the then-US Airways Center during a 2009 game between the Suns against the Hornets. Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports

Photos: Talking Stick Resort Arena through the years

A view of the then-US Airways Center during a 2009 game between the Suns against the Hornets.
Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports

Suns players line up as the national anthem is performed before the game as the Phoenix Suns face off against the Houston Rockets on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016, at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. Rockets defeated the Suns 111-105. Danny Miller/azcentral sports

Photos: Talking Stick Resort Arena through the years

Suns players line up as the national anthem is performed before the game as the Phoenix Suns face off against the Houston Rockets on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016, at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. Rockets defeated the Suns 111-105.
Danny Miller/azcentral sports

Charles Barkley talks to the hundreds of thousands of Suns fans who filled the streets outside the then-America West Arena despite a loss s to the Chicago Bulls in the 1993 NBA Finals. Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports

Photos: Talking Stick Resort Arena through the years

Charles Barkley talks to the hundreds of thousands of Suns fans who filled the streets outside the then-America West Arena despite a loss s to the Chicago Bulls in the 1993 NBA Finals.
Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports

A view of the then-America West Arena before a Nov. 15, 1996 NHL game for the Phoenix Coyotes. Glenn Cratty/Getty Images

Photos: Talking Stick Resort Arena through the years

A view of the then-America West Arena before a Nov. 15, 1996 NHL game for the Phoenix Coyotes.
Glenn Cratty/Getty Images

A view of a 2002 playoff game between the Phoenix Coyotes during Game 3 of the Western Conference quarterfinals against the San Jose Sharks at the then-America West Arena, filled with fans for the White Out. Harry How/Getty Images

Photos: Talking Stick Resort Arena through the years

A view of a 2002 playoff game between the Phoenix Coyotes during Game 3 of the Western Conference quarterfinals against the San Jose Sharks at the then-America West Arena, filled with fans for the White Out.
Harry How/Getty Images

A view of an Arena Football game between the Jacksonville Sharks and the Arizona Rattlers during ArenaBowl XXIV at the then-US Airways Center on August 12, 2011. Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Photos: Talking Stick Resort Arena through the years

A view of an Arena Football game between the Jacksonville Sharks and the Arizona Rattlers during ArenaBowl XXIV at the then-US Airways Center on August 12, 2011.
Christian Petersen/Getty Images

The Phoenix Mercury take part in their celebration rally for their 2014 WNBA Championship on Sept. 14 2014 in Phoenix at the US Airways Center. David Kadlubowski/azcentral sports

Photos: Talking Stick Resort Arena through the years

The Phoenix Mercury take part in their celebration rally for their 2014 WNBA Championship on Sept. 14 2014 in Phoenix at the US Airways Center.
David Kadlubowski/azcentral sports

The Phoenix Mercury won the WNBA title in 2007, 2009 and 2014. Only Houston has won more league titles. David Kadlubowski/azcentral sports

Photos: Talking Stick Resort Arena through the years

The Phoenix Mercury won the WNBA title in 2007, 2009 and 2014. Only Houston has won more league titles.
David Kadlubowski/azcentral sports

Media and Fans gathered at Super Bowl Media Day at the U.S. Airways Center January 27, 2015 in Phoenix. Dominic Valente/azcentral sports

Photos: Talking Stick Resort Arena through the years

Media and Fans gathered at Super Bowl Media Day at the U.S. Airways Center January 27, 2015 in Phoenix.
Dominic Valente/azcentral sports

The Suns induct Steve Nash into the Ring of Honor on Oct. 30, 2015, the 14th member of the select group. Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports

Photos: Talking Stick Resort Arena through the years

The Suns induct Steve Nash into the Ring of Honor on Oct. 30, 2015, the 14th member of the select group.
Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports

Fans fill the main entrance at Talking Stick Resort Arena before a 2016 Suns game. David Kadlubowski/azcentral sports, David Kadlubowski/azcentral sports

Photos: Talking Stick Resort Arena through the years

Fans fill the main entrance at Talking Stick Resort Arena before a 2016 Suns game.
David Kadlubowski/azcentral sports, David Kadlubowski/azcentral sports

A street view of the then-America West Arena. The original capacity was 19,023 but it now seats 18,422 for basketball games. Michael Chow/azcentral sports

Photos: Talking Stick Resort Arena through the years

A street view of the then-America West Arena. The original capacity was 19,023 but it now seats 18,422 for basketball games.
Michael Chow/azcentral sports

A view of the then-US Airways Center before a game between the Bulls and the Suns on January 30, 2015. Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Photos: Talking Stick Resort Arena through the years

A view of the then-US Airways Center before a game between the Bulls and the Suns on January 30, 2015.
Christian Petersen/Getty Images

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Former Phoenix Suns Charles Barkley, Kevin Johnson, Oliver Miller and Dan Majerle were some of the players from the 1990s teams signing autographs before the Houston game on Jan. 12, 2018, at Talking Stick Resort Arena in downtown Phoenix.(Photo: Rob Schumacher/The Republic)

A downtown real-estate developer is suing Phoenix for withholding public records related to the renovation of Talking Stick Resort Arena, home of the Phoenix Suns.

Phoenix has been exploring renovating the 26-year-old arena for more than a year. The City Council voted last year to pay a sports consultant $200,000 to study the idea and has met in executive-session meetings numerous times over the past year to discuss the state of negotiations with the Suns and the consultant.

Previously, the city also toyed with the idea of building a new shared arena for the Suns and Arizona Coyotes, although those discussions appeared to stall out over time.

Nearly all discussions about a new or renovated arena have taken place outside of the public sphere, which prompted developer Bramley Paulin to file a public-records request for more information, according to his attorney.

Paulin requested the following items: "All feasibility reports, concept reports or consultant studies prepared by or provided to the city by the Phoenix Suns or the Arizona Coyotes pertaining to the purchase, lease or renovations of the Talking Stick (Resort) Arena or any other sports facility, including any draft conceptual renovation information provided to the city by the Suns."

The conservative Goldwater Institute teamed with local attorney Alexander Kolodin to represent the developer after the city denied his request. The city cited a nondisclosure agreement with the Suns that prevented the release of some studies and reports.

Paulin filed a lawsuit against the city in Maricopa County Superior Court on Tuesday asking the court to require Phoenix to allow inspection of the requested records.

In an interview, Kolodin said the city cannot use a nondisclosure agreement to block its obligations under the state's public-records law. He's seen many excuses for denying public-records requests, he said, but Phoenix's reasoning "maybe takes the cake for creativity."

"The public has a right to know what's going on so they can have a say in the process," he said.

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Julie Watters, Phoenix spokeswoman, said the Suns "have shared confidential documents with the city that describe the conceptual scope of proposed renovations and cost estimates. At least for now, disclosing these documents could prevent the city from receiving the best price for the work outlined in those documents."

"Generally, state law protects the procurement and negotiation process of public-works projects — like renovations of the city-owned (Talking Stick Resort Arena) — against public-records requests until a final contract has been awarded. When negotiations conclude, the procurement/negotiation file would be available as a public record," Watters said.

A representative from the Suns did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

In a statement, the Arizona Coyotes said, "We are not a party to this lawsuit and cannot comment on something we have never seen nor know anything about."

The Arizona Republic previously filed similar public-records requests for consultant reports related to the arena. City officials also told The Republic that a nondisclosure agreement with the Suns would prevent most documents from release until after negotiations are completed.

Cotton Fitzsimmons, left, and Phoenix Suns owner and team president Jerry Colangelo, answer questions during a news conference held at America West Arena in Phoenix, naming Fitzsimmons as the new head coach of the Suns on Tuesday Jan. 16, 1996. AP Photo/Eric Drotter

Lisa Harrison (3) of the Phoenix Mercury goes to the boards for a rebound against the Sacramento Monarchs during the first half of a preseason game at America West Arena on May 13, 2001. Emmanuel Lozano/The Republic

The Phoenix Suns gorilla welcomes Beatrice Ortega-Stevens, 36, of Chandler as the 20 millionth fan to enter America West Arena during the Phoenix Suns game against the LA Lakers on Jan. 29, 2003. Dave Cruz/The Republic

The then-newly built Bud Light Paseo on the east side of America West Arena on Nov. 22, 2004. It was part of an expansion project and had screen paneling which shaded the whole side of the building. The structure is now called the Coors Light Cold Zone. Mike Rynearson/The Republic

U.S. Airways Chairman and CEO Doug Parker, Phoenix Suns Chairman and CEO Jerry Colangelo, and Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon show off shirts with the new name US Airways Center. The press conference announcing the name change was held at America West Arena on Nov. 14, 2005. Tom Tingle/The Republic

The signage indicating America West Arena's 2006 name change had not yet been officially unveiled but is clearly visible behind tarps that cover the new name, US Airways Center, on Jan. 4, 2006. Tom Tingle/The Republic

Phoenix Suns defensive assistant Elston Turner, head coach Alvin Gentry, and assistant coach Dan Majerle react during the third quarter of an NBA game against the Golden State Warriors at US Airways Center on Jan. 2, 2012. Cheryl Evans/The Republic, Cheryl Evans/The Republic

Phoenix Mercury forward Penny Taylor speaks during a post-game interview after losing to the Minnesota Lynx during the WNBA semifinals, Game 3, at Talking Stick Resort Arena on October 2, 2016. Cheryl Evans/The Republic